Protective liner

ABSTRACT

A protective device for a cargo carrier is provided that includes a deflective portion disposed proximate to an intersection between a top surface of a cargo deck and an interior surface of a wall of a cargo carrying vehicle. The deflective portion includes a beveled part and a convex part connected to the beveled part that deflects objects from an interior surface of the wall of the cargo carrier.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 15/139,747 entitled“PROTECTIVE LINER” filed on Apr. 27, 2016, which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/153,620 entitled“Protective Liner” filed on Apr. 28, 2015. The entirety of theabove-noted applications are incorporated by reference herein.

ORIGIN

The innovation disclosed herein relates to a cargo carrying vehicle andmore specifically, to a protective liner/reinforcement panel disposedadjacent to an interior surface of a wall of the cargo carrying vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Scuff liner is a term used to generally describe a reinforcement panelthat is installed within a cargo carrying vehicle (trailer, intermodalcontainer, van body, rail car, etc.) that protects the interior wallfrom impacts/abrasion experienced during loading and unloading offreight. The scuff liners are constructed of various materials which caninclude steel, aluminum, wood, plastic, composite, etc. The materialshave various geometries ranging from 18 Ga corrugated steel panels tothick slabs of wood that can be as thick as 1 inch. The design challengeassociated with a scuff liner is centered on providing protection forthe lower 12-48″ of the wall while maintaining the widest dimensionpossible between the interior walls of the vehicle.

Traditionally, scuff liners have been designed with extra thickness toprovide sacrificial material to endure collisions and abrasion betweenthe objects (e.g. fork lift tines, wheels, etc.) and the scuff.Designing thicker sections of the scuff liner, however, reduces theavailable width between the interior walls of the vehicle as opposed tothe thinner sections of the scuff liner. Design considerations, such asweight and cost, are a concern as well. For example, thicker sectionsadds weight, cost and reduces the available width mentioned above. Inaddition, the lighter the scuff the more freight can be hauled withinthe cargo carrying device.

Another concern, is that scuff liners become damaged in severaldifferent ways. For example, fork truck tines and pallets impact anddamage the scuff liners during the loading and unloading processes. Thisdamage can be a puncture/gouge via a tine or abrasion caused by pallets,tines, or fork truck wheels.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the innovation. This summary is not anextensive overview of the innovation. It is not intended to identifykey/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the innovation. Itssole purpose is to present some concepts of the innovation in asimplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that ispresented later.

In an aspect of the innovation, a protective device for a cargo carrieris disclosed and includes a deflective portion configured to beremovably attached to a wall of a cargo carrying vehicle, the deflectiveportion including: a first end, a second end, a beveled part near thefirst end, and a convex part near the second end and being connected tothe beveled part, wherein an outer most portion of the deflectiveportion is offset from the first end thereby forming a void below thefirst end and adjacent to the convex part, and a reinforcement portiondisposed in the void that provides reinforcement to the deflectiveportion.

In another aspect of the innovation, a protective liner for a cargocarrier is disclosed that includes a first portion that extends along aninterior surface of the wall of the cargo carrier and having a first endand a second end, and a second portion disposed proximate to anintersection between a top surface of a cargo deck and the interiorsurface of the wall of the cargo carrier and having a curved portion anda support portion, wherein the curved portion includes a first endremovably attached to the second end of the first portion and a secondend offset from the first portion thereby forming a void below the firstportion, and wherein the support portion is disposed in the void.

In still yet another aspect of the innovation, a protective liner for acargo carrier is disclosed that includes a linear portion having a firstend and a second end that extends along an interior surface of the wallof the cargo carrier, and a deflective portion integrally connected tothe second end of the linear portion and is disposed proximate to anintersection between a top surface of a cargo deck and the interiorsurface of the wall of the cargo carrier, wherein the deflective portionhas width such that an outer most portion of the deflective portion ishorizontally offset from a first surface of the linear portion.

To accomplish the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrativeaspects of the innovation are described herein in connection with thefollowing description and the annexed drawings. These aspects areindicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which theprinciples of the innovation can be employed and the subject innovationis intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Otheradvantages and novel features of the innovation will become apparentfrom the following detailed description of the innovation whenconsidered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front view of a first embodiment of an innovative liner inaccordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 1B is a side view of the innovative liner in accordance with anaspect of the innovation.

FIG. 1C is a close up view of Section A of FIG. 1B of the innovativeliner in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 1D is a perspective view of FIG. 1C of the innovative liner inaccordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 1E shows the innovative protective liner disposed in a cargocarrier in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIGS. 2-10 are illustrations of alternate example embodiment of thesecond portion of the innovative liner of FIGS. 1A-1D in accordance withan aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 11A is a front view of another embodiment of an innovative liner inaccordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 11B is a side view of the innovative liner in accordance with anaspect of the innovation.

FIG. 11C is a close up view of Section A of FIG. 11B of the innovativeliner in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 11D is a perspective view of FIG. 11C of the innovative liner inaccordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIGS. 12-15 are illustrations of alternate example embodiment of thesecond portion of the innovative liner of FIGS. 11A-11D in accordancewith an aspect of the innovation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, whereinlike reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout.In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the subject innovation. It may be evident, however,that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details.

While specific characteristics are described herein (e.g., thickness),it is to be understood that the features, functions and benefits of theinnovation can employ characteristics that vary from those describedherein. These alternatives are to be included within the scope of theinnovation and claims appended hereto.

Disclosed herein is a protective liner/reinforcement panel (hereinafter“liner”) generally referred to as a scuff liner for use with a cargocarrying vehicle (trailer, intermodal container, van body, rail car,etc.) that overcomes the aforementioned concerns in accordance with anaspect of the innovation. The innovative liner includes an innovativebulb (bulb scuff) adapted to provide a means to reduce damage to theliner. For example, the liner is adapted to prevent damage byprohibiting an object, such as a rim of a fork truck wheel fromcontacting the liner, which also reduces abrasion damage caused by therim. In other words, the innovative geometry of the liner works as adeflector providing contact between a tire tread and the bulb whilemaintaining space between the upper portion of the scuff and the steelrim of the fork truck tire. A bevel design re-routes the movement of thefork truck away from a cargo carrier wall. As the tread attempts toimpact the “bulb”, the resultant forces push the tire assemble away fromthe cargo carrier wall thus providing further protection for the scuff.While examples and embodiments disclosed and claimed herein are specificto cargo carrying vehicles, it is to be understood that other aspectscan be used in land-based applications such as warehouses or the likewhere damage to walls from cargo moving equipment (e.g., fork trucks) isprevalent. These alternative aspects are to be considered within thescope of this disclosure and claims appended hereto without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the innovation.

For example, the liner and bulb addresses the root cause of damagecaused to freight vehicles via the fork truck wheels. Most fork truckwheels have a steel inner wheel (rim) that supports an exterior rubbertread. The tread is beveled back under the rim thereby leaving the rimprotruding out from the rubber surface. Most fork truck tires have arubber tread that is approximately 0.5″-1.5″ thick. In order to keep thesteel rim from grinding/abrading on the scuff panel and causing damage,the bulb provides a geometry that forces contact between the rubbertread and the bulb prior to the rim impacting liner. The bulb is locatedin the lower 0.5-2″ of the liner profile so it's low enough to engagethe wheel tread while avoiding the rim. The vertical liner and/or thebulb geometry can be produced from aluminum extrusion, plasticextrusion, multi-piece assemblies, plastic, composite materialsincluding fiber reinforced plastic, rolled formed steel, etc.Additionally, self-healing or otherwise resilient materials can beemployed to further enhance advantages of the subject innovation. Forexample, resin based products or the like can be used that flex uponimpact and regain their original shape upon alleviation of the impactcan be employed in aspects. Processes can include thermoforming,extrusion, etc. More specifically, the vertical liner and the bulbgeometry can be made from different materials and can be manufacturedfrom different processes.

Referring now to the figures, FIGS. 1A-1E illustrates a first embodimentof an innovative protective device (protective liner) 100 that includesa first (upper, linear) portion 110 and a second (deflective, lower,curved, bulb) portion 150. FIG. 1A is a front view, FIG. 1B is a sideview, FIG. 1C is a close up view of Section A of FIG. 1B, FIG. 1D is aperspective view of FIG. 1C, and FIG. 1E shows the innovative protectiveliner disposed in the cargo carrier. The first and second portions 110,150 may be integrated, may be two separate units that attach to form arigid structure, or may be two separate units.

The first portion 110 is linear but, may be curved or angled to conformto a contour of an interior surface 120 of a cargo carrier wall 122(e.g., side, front, rear, etc.) and includes a first end 112, a secondend 114, a first surface 116, and a second surface 118. When the liner100 is installed, the first portion 110 extends along the interiorsurface 120 of the cargo carrier wall 122, toward a top of the cargocarrier wall such that the first surface 116 is adjacent to the interiorsurface 120 of the cargo carrier wall 122. In some embodiments, thefirst portion 110 may be attached or removably attached to the interiorsurface 120 of the cargo carrier wall 122.

The second portion 150 includes a curved portion 152 having a first end154 and a second end 156. The curved portion 152 includes a beveled part158 and a convex part 160 as the curved portion 152 extends from thefirst end 154 toward the second end 156. An outer most portion 162 ofthe curved portion 152 is offset a distance D from a first surface 164of the first end 154 thereby forming a void 166 below the first end 154adjacent to the convex part 160. In some embodiments, the first end 154attaches (either integrally or removably) to the second end 114 of thefirst portion 110.

The second portion 150 further includes a support/reinforcement portion168 disposed in the void 166. In this embodiment thesupport/reinforcement portion 168 is comprised of multiple connectedsegments 170 that may be linear (horizontal, vertical, angled) of variedlengths, curved, etc., which in this example embodiment, form anS-shape. The segments 170 may be an integrated or removably attached tothe curved portion 152. Further the segments 170 may be integrated orremovably attached to each other.

In this example embodiment, the support/reinforcement portion 168extends in a horizontal direction from a first (inside) surface 172 ofthe convex part 160 beyond the first surface 164 of the first end 154 bya distance d. As with all the example embodiments disclosed herein, thesecond portion 150 provides support/reinforcement so as to minimizedamage to the liner 100 when an object (e.g., wheel rim, fork lift tine,etc.) contacts the second portion 150 of the liner 100.

When installed, the second portion 150 is disposed adjacent (proximate)to an intersection 124 of a floor and the cargo carrier wall 122 of thecargo carrier, where the floor is a top surface 126 of a cargo deck 128that supports the cargo and is generally perpendicular to the cargocarrier wall 122. In one example embodiment, the second portion 150 maybe attached or removably attached to the interior surface 120 of thecargo carrier wall 122.

It is to be understood that adjacent or proximate as defined herein caninclude that the second portion 150 may be in contact with the topsurface 126 of the cargo deck 128 or may be spaced from the top surface126 of the cargo deck 128 thereby creating a gap 130 between the secondportion 150 and the top surface 126 of the cargo deck 128. Thus, in oneexample embodiment, the second portion 150 may contact the top surface126 of the cargo carrier cargo deck 128. In another example embodiment,the second portion 150 may be spaced from the top surface 126 of thecargo deck 128 such that the second portion 150 is not in contact withthe top surface 126 of the cargo deck 128, as shown in FIG. 1E. It is tobe understood, that the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1E is forillustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of theinnovation.

FIGS. 2-10 are illustrations of alternate example embodiment of theinnovative line in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. Thefirst portion of the following embodiments are similar to the firstportion 110 described above and illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D. Thus, anyreference to the first portion of the following embodiments willreference back to FIGS. 1A-1D and will use the same reference numbers.In addition, in regards to the second portion illustrated in FIGS. 2-15,the location of the second portion with respect to the cargo carrierfloor when the protective liner is installed is similar to the exampleembodiment described above and illustrated in FIG. 1E. Thus, anyreference to the location of the second portion will refer back to FIG.1E and the above description and will not be repeated.

FIG. 2 is another example embodiment of an innovative protective device(protective liner) 200 in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.The liner 200 includes the first (upper, linear) portion 110 and asecond (deflective, lower, curved, bulb) portion 250. As mentionedabove, the first portion 110 is similar to the first portion 110described above and, thus, details of the first portion 110 will not berepeated. The first and second portions 110, 250 may be integrated, maybe two separate units that attach to form a rigid structure, or may betwo separate units.

The second portion 250 is situated in the cargo carrier as describedabove and includes a curved portion 252 having a first end 254 and asecond end 256. The curved portion 252 includes a beveled part 258 and aconvex part 260 as the curved portion 252 extends from the first end 254toward the second end 256. An outer most portion 262 of the curvedportion 252 is offset a distance D from a first surface 264 of the firstend 254 thereby forming a void 266 below the first end 254 adjacent tothe convex part 260. In some embodiments, the first end 254 attaches(either integrally or removably) to the second end 114 of the firstportion 110.

The second portion 250 further includes a support/reinforcement portion268 disposed in the void 266. In this embodiment thesupport/reinforcement portion 268 is comprised of multiple connectedsegments 270 that may be linear (horizontal, vertical, angled) of variedlengths, curved, etc., which in this example embodiment, form a repeatedS and backward S-shape. The segments 270 may be an integrated orremovably attached to the curved portion 252. Further the segments 270may be integrated or removably attached to each other. In this exampleembodiment, the support/reinforcement portion 268 extends in ahorizontal direction from a first (inside) surface 272 of the convexpart 260 beyond the first surface 264 of the first end 254 by a distanced.

FIG. 3 is another example embodiment of an innovative protective device(protective liner) 300 in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.The liner 300 includes the first (upper, linear) portion 110 and asecond (deflective, lower, curved, bulb) portion 350. As mentionedabove, the first portion 110 is similar to the first portion 110described above and, thus, details of the first portion 110 will not berepeated. The first and second portions 110, 350 may be integrated, maybe two separate units that attach to form a rigid structure, or may betwo separate units.

The second portion 350 is situated in the cargo carrier as describedabove and includes a curved portion 352 having a first end 354 and asecond end 356. The curved portion 352 includes a beveled part 358, alinear part 359, and a convex part 360 as the curved portion 352 extendsfrom the first end 354 toward the second end 356. An outer most portion362 of the curved portion 352 is offset a distance D from a firstsurface 364 of the first end 354 thereby forming a void 366 below thefirst end 354 adjacent to the convex part 360. In some embodiments, thefirst end 354 attaches (either integrally or removably) to the secondend 114 of the first portion 110.

The second portion 350 further includes a support/reinforcement portion368 disposed in the void 366. In this embodiment thesupport/reinforcement portion 368 is comprised of multiple connectedsegments 370 that may be linear (horizontal, vertical, angled) of variedlengths, curved, etc., which in this example embodiment, form a repeatedU and upside down U-shape. The segments 370 may be an integrated orremovably attached to the curved portion 352. Further the segments 370may be integrated or removably attached to each other. In this exampleembodiment, the support/reinforcement portion 368 extends in ahorizontal direction from a first (inside) surface 372 of the convexpart 360 short of the first surface 364 of the first end 354 by adistance d1.

FIG. 4 is another example embodiment of an innovative protective device(protective liner) 400 in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.The liner 400 includes the first (upper, linear) portion 110 and asecond (deflective, lower, curved, bulb) portion 450. As mentionedabove, the first portion 110 is similar to the first portion 110described above and, thus, details of the first portion 110 will not berepeated. The first and second portions 110, 450 may be integrated, maybe two separate units that attach to form a rigid structure, or may betwo separate units.

The second portion 450 is situated in the cargo carrier as describedabove and includes a curved portion 452 having a first end 454 and asecond end 456. The curved portion 452 includes a beveled part 458, alinear part 459, and a convex part 460 as the curved portion 452 extendsfrom the first end 454 toward the second end 456. An outer most portion462 of the curved portion 452 is offset a distance D from a firstsurface 464 of the first end 454 thereby forming a void 466 below thefirst end 454 adjacent to the convex part 460. In some embodiments, thefirst end 454 attaches (either integrally or removably) to the secondend 114 of the first portion 110.

The second portion 450 further includes a support/reinforcement portion468 disposed in the void 466. In this embodiment thesupport/reinforcement portion 468 is comprised of multiple connectedsegments 470 that may be linear (horizontal, vertical, angled) of variedlengths, curved, etc., which in this example embodiment, form a repeatedU and upside down U-shape. The segments 470 may be an integrated orremovably attached to the curved portion 452. Further the segments 470may be integrated or removably attached to each other. In this exampleembodiment, the support/reinforcement portion 468 extends in ahorizontal direction from a first (inside) surface 472 of the convexpart 460 beyond the first surface 464 of the first end 454 by a distanced.

FIG. 5 is another example embodiment of an innovative protective device(protective liner) 500 in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.The liner 500 includes the first (upper, linear) portion 110 and asecond (deflective, lower, curved, bulb) portion 550. As mentionedabove, the first portion 110 is similar to the first portion 110described above and, thus, details of the first portion 110 will not berepeated. The first and second portions 110, 550 may be integrated, maybe two separate units that attach to form a rigid structure, or may betwo separate units.

The second portion 550 is situated in the cargo carrier as describedabove and includes a curved portion 552 having a first end 554 and asecond end 556. The curved portion 552 includes a beveled part 558 nearthe first end 554 and a convex part 560 near the second end 556 as thecurved portion 552 extends from the first end 554 toward the second end556. An outer most portion 562 of the curved portion 552 is offset adistance D from a first surface 564 of the first end 554 thereby forminga void 566 below the first end 554 adjacent to the convex part 560. Insome embodiments, the first end 554 attaches (either integrally orremovably) to the second end 114 of the first portion 110.

FIG. 6 is another example embodiment of an innovative protective device(protective liner) 600 in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.The liner 600 includes the first (upper, linear) portion 110 and asecond (deflective, lower, curved, bulb) portion 650. As mentionedabove, the first portion 110 is similar to the first portion 110described above and, thus, details of the first portion 110 will not berepeated. The first and second portions 110, 650 may be integrated, maybe two separate units that attach to form a rigid structure, or may betwo separate units.

The second portion 650 is situated in the cargo carrier as describedabove and includes a curved portion 652 having a first end 654 and asecond end 656. The curved portion 652 includes a beveled part 658 nearthe first end 654 and a convex part 660 near the second end 656 as thecurved portion 652 extends from the first end 654 toward the second end656. An outer most portion 662 of the curved portion 652 is offset adistance D from a first surface 664 of the first end 654 thereby forminga void 666 below the first end 654 adjacent to the convex part 660. Insome embodiments, the first end 654 attaches (either integrally orremovably) to the second end 114 of the first portion 110.

A support/reinforcement portion 668 disposed in the void 666 that may beintegrated with the second portion 650, removably attached with thesecond portion 650, or may be an independent separate unit from thesecond portion 650. In this embodiment the support/reinforcement portion668 is comprised of a triangular-shaped insert. In this exampleembodiment, the support/reinforcement portion 668 extends in ahorizontal direction from a first (inside) surface 672 of the convexpart 660 to a point essentially flush with the first surface 664 of thefirst end 654.

FIG. 7 is another example embodiment of an innovative protective device(protective liner) 700 in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.The liner 700 includes the first (upper, linear) portion 110 and asecond (deflective, lower, curved, bulb) portion 750. As mentionedabove, the first portion 110 is similar to the first portion 110described above and, thus, details of the first portion 110 will not berepeated. The first and second portions 110, 750 may be integrated, maybe two separate units that attach to form a rigid structure, or may betwo separate units.

The second portion 750 is situated in the cargo carrier as describedabove and includes a curved portion 752 having a first end 754 and asecond end 756. The curved portion 752 includes a beveled part 758 and aconvex part 760 as the curved portion 752 extends from the first end 754toward the second end 756. An outer most portion 762 of the curvedportion 752 is offset a distance D from a first surface 764 of the firstend 754 thereby forming a void 766 below the first end 754 adjacent tothe convex part 760. In some embodiments, the first end 754 attaches(either integrally or removably) to the second end 114 of the firstportion 110.

A support/reinforcement portion 768 disposed in the void 766 that may beintegrated with the second portion 750, removably attached with thesecond portion 750, or may be an independent separate unit from thesecond portion 750. In this embodiment the support/reinforcement portion768 is comprised of multiple substantially horizontal, linear segments770 as an insert. The segments 770 may vary in length, thickness, widthor a combination of the three. In addition, the segments 770 may be anintegrated unit, may be removably attached with each other, or may beindependent separate pieces. In this example embodiment, thesupport/reinforcement portion 768 extends in a horizontal direction froma first (inside) surface 772 of the convex part 760 to a pointessentially flush with the first surface 764 of the first end 754.

FIG. 8 is another example embodiment of an innovative protective device(protective liner) 800 in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.The liner 800 includes the first (upper, linear) portion 110 and asecond (deflective, lower, curved, bulb) portion 850. As mentionedabove, the first portion 110 is similar to the first portion 110described above and, thus, details of the first portion 110 will not berepeated. The first and second portions 110, 850 may be integrated, maybe two separate units that attach to form a rigid structure, or may betwo separate units.

The second portion 850 is situated in the cargo carrier as describedabove and includes a curved portion 852 having a first end 854 and asecond end 856. The curved portion 852 includes a beveled part 858 nearthe first end 854 and a convex part 860 near the second end 856 as thecurved portion 852 extends from the first end 854 toward the second end856. An outer most portion 862 of the curved portion 852 is offset adistance D from a first surface 864 of the first end 854 thereby forminga void 866 below the first end 854 adjacent to the convex part 860. Insome embodiments, the first end 854 attaches (either integrally orremovably) to the second end 114 of the first portion 110.

A support/reinforcement portion 868 disposed in the void 866 that may beintegrated with the second portion 850, removably attached with thesecond portion 850, or may be an independent separate unit from thesecond portion 850. In this embodiment the support/reinforcement portion868 is comprised of multiple substantially vertical, linear segments 870as an insert. The segments 870 may vary in length, thickness, width or acombination of the three. In addition, the segments 870 may be anintegrated unit, may be removably attached with each other, or may beindependent separate pieces. In this example embodiment, thesupport/reinforcement portion 868 extends in a horizontal direction froma first (inside) surface 872 of the convex part 860 to a pointessentially flush with the first surface 864 of the first end 854.

FIG. 9 is another example embodiment of an innovative protective device(protective liner) 900 in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.The liner 900 includes the first (upper, linear) portion 110 and asecond (deflective, lower, curved, bulb) portion 950. As mentionedabove, the first portion 110 is similar to the first portion 110described above and, thus, details of the first portion 110 will not berepeated. The first and second portions 110, 950 may be integrated, maybe two separate units that attach to form a rigid structure, or may beused independently of each other as two separate units.

The second portion 950 is situated in the cargo carrier as describedabove and includes a curved portion 952 having a first end 954 and asecond end 956. The curved portion 952 includes a beveled part 958 nearthe first end 954 and a convex part 960 near the second end 956 as thecurved portion 952 curves away from the first end 954 toward the secondend 956. An outer most portion 962 of the curved portion 952 is offset adistance D from a first surface 964 of the first end 954 thereby forminga void 966 below the first end 954 adjacent to the convex part 960. Insome embodiments, the first end 1954 attaches to the second end 114 ofthe first portion 110.

The second portion 950 further includes a support portion comprised ofan angled portion 968 attached to the second end 956 of the curvedportion 952 and a horizontal portion 970 attached to the angled portion968 to thereby form an L-shape. In this example embodiment, the supportportion extends in a horizontal direction from second end 956 of thecurved portion 952 to a point essentially flush with the first surface964 of the first end 954.

FIG. 10 is another example embodiment of an innovative protective device(protective liner) 1000 in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.The liner 1000 includes the first (upper, linear) portion 110 and asecond (deflective, lower, curved, bulb) portion 1050. As mentionedabove, the first portion 110 is similar to the first portion 110described above and, thus, details of the first portion 110 will not berepeated. The first and second portions 110, 1050 may be integrated, maybe two separate units that attach to form a rigid structure, or may beused independently of each other as two separate units.

The second portion 1050 is situated in the cargo carrier as describedabove and includes a curved portion 1052 having a first end 1054 and asecond end 1056. The curved portion 1052 includes a beveled part 1058near the first end and a convex part 1060 near the second end 1056 asthe curved portion 1052 curves away from the first end 1054 toward thesecond end 1056. An outer most portion 1062 of the curved portion 1052is offset a distance D from a first surface 1064 of the first end 1054thereby forming a void 1066 below the first end 1054 adjacent to theconvex part 1060. In some embodiments, the first end 1054 attaches tothe second end 114 of the first portion 110.

The second portion 1050 further includes a support portion comprised ofan angled portion 1068 attached to the second end 1056 of the curvedportion 1052 and a horizontal portion 1070 attached to the angledportion 1068 to thereby form an L-shape. In this example embodiment, thesupport portion extends in a horizontal direction from second end 1056of the curved portion 1052 to a point essentially flush with the firstsurface 1064 of the first end 1054.

A triangular-shaped insert (reinforcement part) 1072 is disposed in thevoid 1066 and resides on the support portion. The inert 1072 may beintegrated with the second portion 1050, may be removably attached tothe second portion 1050, or may be an independent separate unit from thesecond portion 1050. The insert 1074 provides additionalsupport/reinforcement so as to minimize damage to the liner 1000 when anobject (e.g., wheel rim, fork lift tine, etc.) contacts the secondportion 1050 of the liner 1000.

FIGS. 11A-11D is an illustration of another example embodiment of aninnovative protective device (protective liner) 1100 that includes afirst (upper, linear) portion 1110 and a second (deflective, lower,curved, bulb) portion 1150 where the first and second portions 1110,1150 are an integrated unit. FIG. 11A is a front view, FIG. 11B is aside view, FIG. 11C is a close up view of Section A of FIG. 11B, andFIG. 11D is a perspective view of FIG. 11C. In regards to the secondportion illustrated in FIGS. 11-15, the location of the second portionwith respect to the cargo carrier floor when the protective liner isinstalled is similar to the example embodiment described above andillustrated in FIG. 1E. Thus, any reference to the location of thesecond portion will refer back to FIG. 1E and the above description andwill not be repeated.

The first portion 1110 is essentially linear but, may be curved orangled to conform to the contour of the cargo carrier, and includes afirst end 1112, a second end 1114, a first surface 1116, and a secondsurface 1118. The first portion 1110 extends along and adjacent to aninterior surface 120 of the cargo carrier wall 122 upward toward a topof the cargo carrier (see FIG. 1E).

The second portion 1150 is situated in the cargo carrier as describedabove and has a first substantially linear surface 1152, a base surface1154, and a curved surface including a beveled part 1156 and a convexpart 1158 that all form a curved triangular shape. The first surface1116 of the first portion 1110 and the first surface 1152 of the secondportion 1150 are flush and are adjacent to the interior surface 120 ofthe wall 122 of the cargo carrier. The base surface 1154 of the secondportion 1150 has a width W (or is offset), as measured from an outermost portion 1160 of the second portion 1150 to the first surface 1152of the second portion 1150. The offset along with the configuration ofthe beveled and convex part facilitates the prevention of damage to theliner 1100 by deflecting an object (e.g., wheel rim, fork lift tine,etc.) away from the interior surface 120 of the wall 122 of the cargocarrier.

FIGS. 12-15 are illustrations of alternate example embodiments of theinnovative liner in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. Thefirst portion of the following embodiments are similar to the firstportion 1110 described above and illustrated in FIGS. 11A-11D. Thus, anyreference to the first portion of the following embodiments willreference back to FIGS. 11A-11D and will use the same reference numbers.

FIG. 12 is another example embodiment of an innovative protective device(protective liner) 1200 in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.The liner 1200 includes the first (upper, linear) portion 1110 and asecond (deflective, lower, curved, bulb) portion 1250 where the firstand second portions 1110, 1250 are an integrated unit. As mentionedabove, the first portion 1110 is similar to the first portion 1110described above and, thus, details of the first portion 1110 will not berepeated.

The second portion 1250 is situated in the cargo carrier as describedabove and has a substantially vertical-linear first surface 1252, a basesurface 1254, a substantially vertical-linear second surface (linearpart) 1256, and an angled third surface (angled/beveled part) 1258 thatform a polygonal shape. The first surface 1114 of the first portion 1110and the first surface 1252 of the second portion 1250 are flush and areadjacent to the interior surface of the cargo carrier. The secondportion 1250 has a width W, as measured from an outer most portion 1260of the second portion 1250 to the first surface 1114 of the firstportion 1110. In this embodiment, the first surface 1252 and the secondsurface 1256 are substantially parallel and the third surface 1258angles in a downward direction away from the second surface 1118 of thefirst portion 1110.

FIG. 13 is another example embodiment of an innovative protective device(protective liner) 1300 in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.The liner 1300 includes the first (upper, linear) portion 1110 and asecond (deflective, lower, curved, bulb) portion 1350 where the firstand second portions 1110, 1350 are an integrated unit. As mentionedabove, the first portion 1110 is similar to the first portion 1110described above and, thus, details of the first portion 1110 will not berepeated.

The second portion 1350 is situated in the cargo carrier as describedabove and has a substantially vertical-linear first surface 1352, a basesurface 1354, an angled (angled/beveled part) surface 1356, and asubstantially horizontal-linear third surface 1358 that form a polygonalshape. The first surface 1116 of the first portion 1110 and the firstsurface 1352 of the second portion 1350 are flush and are adjacent tothe interior surface of the cargo carrier. The second portion 1350 has awidth W, as measured from an outer most portion 1360 of the secondportion 1350 to the first surface 1352 of the second portion 1350. Inthis embodiment, the third surface 1358 extends further away from thefirst surface 1116 of the first portion 1110 than the base 1354. Thus,the angled surface 1356 angles toward the first surface 1116 as theangled surface 1356 extends from the third surface 1358 to the basesurface 1354. As a result, the outer most portion 1360 is at a point atan end of the third surface 1358 and not at the base 1314 as in otherembodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 14 is another example embodiment of an innovative protective device(protective liner) 1400 in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.The liner 1400 includes the first (upper, linear) portion 1110 and asecond (deflective, lower, curved, bulb) portion 1450 where the firstand second portions 1110, 1450 are an integrated unit. As mentionedabove, the first portion 1110 is similar to the first portion 1110described above and, thus, details of the first portion 1110 will not berepeated.

In this example embodiment, the second portion 1450 is situated in thecargo carrier as described above and has a circular or rounded shape andincludes a first end 1452 that attaches to the second end 1114 of thefirst portion 1110, a curved portion 1454 that has a circular shape, anda second end 1456 that terminates the curved portion 1454 at a pointadjacent to the second surface 1118 of the first portion 1110. Thesecond portion 1450 has a width W, as measured from an outer mostportion 1458 of the second portion 1450 to the first surface 1116 of thefirst portion 1110.

FIG. 15 is another example embodiment of an innovative protective device(protective liner) 1500 in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.The liner 1500 includes the first (upper, linear) portion 1110 and asecond (deflective, lower, curved, bulb) portion 1550 where the firstand second portions 1110, 1550 are an integrated unit. As mentionedabove, the first portion 1110 is similar to the first portion 1110described above and, thus, details of the first portion 1110 will not berepeated.

In this example embodiment, the second portion 1550 is situated in thecargo carrier as described above and has a continuous swirl like shapeincludes a first end 1552 that attaches to the second end 1114 of thefirst portion 1110, a curved portion 1554 that has a circular/swirlshape, and a second end 1556 that terminates the curved portion 1554 ata point within the circular/swirl shape. The second portion 1550 has awidth W, as measured from an outer most portion 1558 of the secondportion 1550 to the first surface 1114 of the first portion 1110.

What has been described above includes examples of the innovation. Itis, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination ofcomponents or methodologies for purposes of describing the subjectinnovation, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that manyfurther combinations and permutations of the innovation are possible.Accordingly, the innovation is intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes”is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term isintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective device for a cargo carriercomprising: a deflective portion including: a first end; a second end; abeveled part near the first end; and a convex part near the second endand being connected to the beveled part, wherein an outer most portionof the deflective portion is offset from the first end; and areinforcement portion that provides reinforcement to the deflectiveportion, wherein the deflective portion and the reinforcement portionare attachable to form a rigid structure.
 2. The protective device ofclaim 1, wherein the second end of the deflective portion and thereinforcement portion are proximate to an intersection defined by a topsurface of a cargo deck and an interior surface of a wall of the cargocarrier.
 3. The protective device of claim 2, wherein the reinforcementportion is removable from the deflective portion.
 4. The protectivedevice of claim 3, wherein the reinforcement portion includes a singletriangular shaped piece.
 5. The protective device of claim 3, whereinthe reinforcement portion includes a plurality of horizontal linearsegments.
 6. The protective device of claim 3, wherein the reinforcementportion includes a plurality of vertical linear segments.
 7. Theprotective device of claim 1 further comprising a support portion thatextends in a substantially horizontal direction from the second end ofthe deflective portion thereby forming an L-shape.
 8. The protectivedevice of claim 7, wherein the reinforcement portion resides on thesupport portion and is removable from the deflective portion.
 9. Theprotective device of claim 8, wherein the reinforcement portion includesa single triangular shaped piece.
 10. The protective device of claim 1,wherein the beveled part and the convex part are configured to engage arubber portion of a fork-lift tire and deflect the fork-lift tire awayfrom an interior surface of a wall of the cargo carrier.
 11. Theprotective device of claim 1 further comprising a linear portion havinga first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the linearportion is attached to the first end of a curved portion, wherein thelinear portion extends upward from the deflective part along an interiorsurface of a wall of the cargo carrier.
 12. A protective liner for acargo carrier comprising: a first portion that extends along an interiorsurface of the wall of the cargo carrier and having a first end and asecond end; and a second portion disposed proximate to an intersectionbetween a top surface of a cargo deck and the interior surface of thewall of the cargo carrier and having a curved portion and a supportportion, wherein the curved portion includes a first end removablyattached to the second end of the first portion.
 13. The protectiveliner of claim 12, wherein the support portion includes a plurality ofsegments attached to a second end of the curved portion.
 14. Theprotective liner of claim 13, wherein the plurality of segments areremovably attached to the second end of the curved portion.
 15. Theprotective liner of claim 12, wherein the support portion includes aplurality of segments integrated with the second portion.
 16. Theprotective liner of claim 12, wherein the support portion includes aplurality of segments that form an S-shape.
 17. The protective liner ofclaim 12, wherein the support portion includes a plurality of segmentsthat form a continuous U and upside down U-shape.